How to Choose a Glass Kiln

• 1). First, consider the price range within which you are working. Kilns can range from as low as $400 to as high as thousands of dollars. If you are a recreational glass artist seeking to take your craft to the next level, a $2,000 kiln may be exorbitant; however, if you are a professional with a client base, a more expensive kiln may be a realistic option. Set your price limit before beginning your search. Remember, price is not necessarily an indicator of value, quality or functionality.
  
  
• 2). Determine and write down your purpose for working with glass. There are three main types of controls that glass kilns can have: infinite switches, simple digital controls and professional digital controls. Infinite switches are the most simple and therefore kilns with this design are usually the least expensive; though, the artist has the least amount of control with this model of kiln. If you are a recreational artist, this may be a fine choice. If you are a professional artist, a kiln with professional digital controls--which allow you to adjust many different elements of firing and come complete with diagnostics--may be a more appropriate selection.
  
  
• 3). Determine and write down how much space you have to work with. Record the square footage of the area in which you plan to set up the kiln as well as the voltage the wiring in the workspace can support. The physical size of a kiln is directly related to the voltage it can support. Small kilns can run off of 120 volts while larger kilns require at least twice that.
  
  
• 4). Decide what kind of pieces you will be creating. There are two basic physical models of kilns, top load and front load. Top-load kilns open like a washing machine, whereas front loaders open like an oven or dishwasher. If you are working with small pieces, top load may work fine. If you are working with sheets of glass or larger pieces, a front-load model might be necessary. Consider not only what you are working on currently, but any kinds of pieces you may wish to experiment with in the future. It is important that an investment in a kiln now does not prevent you from exploring different forms later on.